Josophia Christine
Accomplished Abstract and Fine Artist as well as a Professional Digital Photographer. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Where, at a very young age she was fascinated by bright colors and drawing on the wall, to a point to where her father, Charles Fusco, had said to her mother “Just put a frame on it” and thus would call them her “Incredible masterpieces!”
She was encouraged by her parents and teachers alike, to try any form of art and crafts that she could get her hands on; and to her delight, would receive gifts like art and painting kits, or ceramics at Christmas time.
An advanced Gymnast in Elementary school and an all around athlete in High School (Basketball, Softball, Track, Cross Country running), she found little time for much else at the time, but still really loved to paint and draw. Then, with the new wave of modern technology hitting, she took an immediate interest in Computer Art and Desktop Publishing, where, along with raising her family simultaneously , she studied Art, Color and Graphic Design at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
From there, she proudly landed a job as a Graphic Designer at Lifetouch Publishing Company in Loves Park, Illinois, where she enjoyed designing amazing high-end elementary and high school yearbooks that reached all kids of different schools all over the country. After several years, she started taking a fascination in photography, especially the black and white photos that she was using to create the yearbooks. After some research, some of her favorite influences became famous black and white photographers, “Ansel Adams” “Sebastiao Salgado”, along with a very talented stock photographer, and owner of “The Photo Vault” in San Francisco, California, Wernher Krutein. Then, she quickly decided to go on to study Digital Photography at The Illinois Institute of Art, Schaumburg, Illinois where she received her Official Certification as a Digital Photographer, and proudly became a professional photographer for Lifetouch’s Portrait Divisions in Algonquin, Schaumburg, and Lombard, Illinois.
In 2012, Jo Jo was accepted at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, where she studied under Professor, Jeffrey Cote de Luna (Figurative Drawing and Oil Painting), Professor, Frank Spidale (Oil Painting), and Professor Javier Carmona (Black and White Darkroom, Color photography, and Cinematography), Professor William Kerr (Graphic Design). Art Influences: Abstract Artist; Gerhard Richter, Jackson Pollock, Sean Scully, Wassily Kandinsky, Also, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, MichealAngelo, Graphic design, Paula Scher, Walt Disney.
Jo Jo being very proud to have several of her Art Pieces selected (Original Paintings, to include Diptychs: Below the surface “Lost Souls”, Oil on Canvas, “End Game”Oil on Dlb Wood Panel, ” Anxyed Wilderness” Black & White, Oil & Enamel on Canvas, “Reflective Yellow on Black” Oil on Wood, “Snow Leopard Graphic Design installation, featured four consecutive years in The Annual Juried Student Art Exhibitions held annually at Dominican University.
Finally, after having 15 pieces of her Original Art picked up and featured on consignment by business owner Renata at LUXE Showroom in Chicago, Illinois for 6 consecutive months, Jo Jo had her very 1st Art Opening & Exhibition on March,11, 2016, on her father’s birthday. After being featured in the local newspaper, and selling several of her signed Art pieces that include double and triple panel abstracts, Jo Jo was happy to say with the launch of her “First Art Show” that she had one of her dreams come true and was very proud and elated to include some of her children’s amazing and creative art pieces in the show as well. Yes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Other accomplishments:
2012- 2016 Dominican Star Newspaper Photographer, Sports & Events
2012 Photographic Book Published 10,000 copies Archival History of St. Hubert’s Catholic School, Hoffman Estates, IL
2013 Media Pass Videographer & Photographer for The Neo-Nato Protest in Chicago, IL
2014, 2015 Official Chicago Cubs Summer Camp Photographer, Chicago, IL
2015 One of The last Official Photographers to Photograph Cardinal Francis George of Chicago
2015 Official Photographer, Body Building Competition, Davenport , Iowa
2015 Official Photographer North Beach Volleyball Competition, Chicago, IL
2016 Art Show & Exhibition at LUXE featuring Original Artwork by Jo Jo
Jo Jo went on to follow her dreams by moving from her home town of Chicago, Illinois to lovely Sarasota, Florida in 2016 (Art Heaven), where she believes that “Art is in The Air” around every corner! With the amazing John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, with so many fabulous Art Galleries & Sculptures in and around the surrounding areas, Siesta Key Beach, one of her most favorite places with it’s diverse, hypnotic “Musical Drum Circle” held on each and every Sunday’s at Sunset on the beach, An Array of restaurants with incredibly delicious food and stunning Culinary Art! Then there’s Jo Jo having been blessed with finding her True love in Sarasota; a very handsome and amazing gentleman named “Christian Medico” who’s Italian family grew up in this story book paradise and who shares Jo Jo’s passion for God, Love, Peace & Happiness, and all the ways that ” Art” can effects our everyday lives in the most powerful, fulfilling and up-lifting ways imaginable ! She is most grateful for him believing in her as a Artist, and for his unconditional Love & Support for her, and her children’s future! ….”It’s only the beginning”!
Art Shows in Sarasota, Manatee County and Venice, FL
Date Art Piece Form Location
April 5, 2019 Violin @ Rest 20 Pc Still Life Venice, FL
June 25, 2019 Snake River of Ash Oil on Canvas Venice, FL
July 18, 2019 God Bless America Digital Photo Sarasota, FL
August 28, 2019 Annexed Wilderness Oil on Canvas Sarasota, FL
September 5, 2019 Van Wezel View Opera Oil on Canvas Sarasota, FL
Dec 12, 2019 Violin @ Rest Oil on Canvas Sarasota, FL
January 22, 2020 Spectrum of Autumn Oil on Canvas Sarasota, FL
February 1, 2020 Tropical Waterfalls Oil on Canvas Bradenton
(Dancing Crane Gallery)
March, 15, 2020 The Eye of The Beholder Oil on Canvas Sarasota, FL
July 16, 2020 Triptych Blue Bayou Oil on Canvas LakeWR, FL
Jan-March 2021 *Lakewood Ranch Hospital Exhibition for Cancer Patients
January 15, 2021 Art Estate Sale SOLD 12 pcs Art By Jo Jo Sarasota, FL
April – June 2021
All Angels Art Gallery Art Exhibition Show 16 pcs Featured Art By Jo Jo LongBoat Key, FL.
*Ink Drawing, Dyptich, Triptych, Quads, Mixed Media
May 1, 2021 NLAPW SHOW Alligator Alley, Triptych Art Center Manatee
Video Of Show by Jo Jo Pen Women Art Bradenton, FL